Monday, July 26, 2010

Khronos has released the OpenGL 4.1 Specification to bring better graphics performance to Macs, PCs, and mobile devices.

The specification aims to offer the very latest graphics functionality to the most advanced and widely adopted cross-platform 2D and 3D graphics API (application programming interface). This new version continues to maintain full backwards compatibility to enable developers to begin using new features whenever they choose, while portably accessing state-of-the-art GPU functionality across diverse operating systems and platforms.

The full specification is available for immediate download at http://www.opengl.org/registry.

New functionality in the core OpenGL 4.1 specification includes:● Full compatibility with OpenGL ES 2.0 APIs for easier porting between mobile and desktop platforms;● The ability to query and load a binary for shader program objects to save re-compilation time;● The capability to bind programs individually to programmable stages for programming flexibility;● 64-bit floating-point component vertex shader inputs for higher geometric precision;● Multiple viewports for a rendering surface for increased rendering flexibility.

New ARB extensions introduced with OpenGL 4.1 include:● OpenGL sync objects linked to OpenCL event objects for enhanced OpenCL interoperability;● The ability to set stencil values in a fragment shader for enhanced rendering flexibility;● Features to improve robustness, for example when running WebGL applications;● Callback mechanisms to receive enhanced errors and warning messages.

Khronos has simultaneously released a set of ARB extensions to enable as much OpenGL 4.1 core functionality as possible on previous generation GPU hardware; providing maximum flexibility and platform coverage for application developers.

Apple has issued an official response to the ruling handed down by the Library of Congress on the matter of jailbreaking the iPhone. Today after much deliberation a final decision was announced by the governing body on issues of copyright infringement. The ruling goes as follows; an exception has been made to the DMCA that now allows you to legally jailbreak your iPhone in order to install unapproved applications and to unlock the device so the phone can be used with another service carrier.

CultofMac received a brief statement on the record from an Apple spokeswoman. Due to the legal nature of the issue she was unable to go into much detail:

“Apple’s goal has always been to insure that our customers have a great experience with their iPhone and we know that jailbreaking can severely degrade the experience. As we’ve said before, the vast majority of customers do not jailbreak their iPhones as this can violate the warranty and can cause the iPhone to become unstable and not work reliably.”

Reeder, a popular Google RSS client for the iPhone, has been updated with support for the iPhone 4 retina display.

Features:● Syncs with Google Reader● Browse by feed or folders● Manage starred items, notes● Support for shared items and friends' shared items● Mark as unread● Image caching● State saving● Slider control for list entries: (slide to right to toggle read/unread, slide to left to toggle starred/unstarred)● Option to order by oldest first (for unread items)● Sync status bar: tap to minimize, tap the sync icon to maximize

Services:● Send to Instapaper or ReadItLater ● Save to Delicious* or Pinbard● Post to Twitter ● In-app email for sharing articles● Instapaper and Google Mobilizer● Open with Safari● Copy Link

John Gruber from Daring Fireball hints that new Mac Pros, iMacs, a 27-inch Cinema Display, and the Magic Trackpad will be released tomorrow.

My pal Dan Benjamin is off the sauce and we’re celebrating by putting our podcast back on the air, on a weekly schedule. Listen live this Wednesday at 1pm ET. We’ll have much to talk about, what with the new Mac Pros (finally, right?), speed-bump iMacs, and the gorgeous new 16:9 27-inch Cinema Display that Apple might hypothetically release tomorrow.

Update: Doubly-hypothetical, but who knows, maybe even that desktop multitouch trackpad device I first mentioned last October, too.

Constrained supplies of the Mac Pro and iMac give weight to his prediction.

A recent report by AppleInsider said that Apple has a 12-core Xeon-based Mac Pro and a 27-inch LED Cinema Display in its labs. HardMac is also predicting it will feature USB 3.0 and a faster Firewire interface (1600 or 3200).

Although iControlPad never materialized, gPod, an iPhone case with an integrating gaming control pad, hopes to see the light of day.

Interfacing with the Apple 30 pin connector and providing tactile buttons in the conventional game pad layout, the iPhone Game Pad allows a massive library of arcade and console games to be ported to the iPhone and not loose that old school interface that people who grew up in the 80′s and 90′s enjoyed so much.

A proof of concept working prototype was produced to suit the original iPhone and is shown in the video below. A refined design has been developed to suit the iPhone 3G and 3GS.

If you think you can contribute to the project please contact them using at the link below...

The Library of Congress has deemed that jailbreaking your iPhone in order to install applications not approved by Apple and/or to unlock is legal under new rules announced today.

According to the Associated Press, the decision to allow the practice commonly known as "jailbreaking" is one of a handful of new exemptions from a federal law that prohibits the circumvention of technical measures that control access to copyrighted works. Every three years, the Library of Congress authorizes such exemptions to ensure that existing law does not prevent non-infringing use of copyrighted material. Another exemption will allow owners of used cell phones to break access controls on their phones in order to switch wireless carriers.

This is great news for the jailbreak community! We'll have more details as they become available.

The Copyright Office rejected Apple's claim that copyright law prevents people from installing unapproved programs on iPhones: "When one jailbreaks a smartphone in order to make the operating system on that phone interoperable with an independently created application that has not been approved by the maker of the smartphone or the maker of its operating system, the modifications that are made purely for the purpose of such interoperability are fair uses."

"Copyright law has long held that making programs interoperable is fair use," confirmed Corynne McSherry, EFF's Senior Staff Attorney. "It's gratifying that the Copyright Office acknowledges this right and agrees that the anticircumvention laws should not interfere with interoperability."

Apple may offer consumers the ability to personalize their iPads with engravings later this year, according to Erictric. The site learned this from one of their sources "who legitimately holds a position at the company and has asked to remain anonymous".

“From what I understand, Apple’s going to be offering customers the option to get their iPads engraved just before the Holidays roll around,” noted the source in an email to me.

No confident word as to whether or not personalization will cost consumers extra, though our source believes — much like iPod engraving — it will be free: “…most likely free, especially since they’ll be trying to sell a ton more of the tablets during the holiday season.”

Although unconfirmed this wouldn't come as much of a surprise. Engravings would make the iPad an even more popular gift idea.

Apple has issued a press release announcing the availability of the iPhone 4 in 17 more countries on Friday.

Apple’s iPhone 4 will be available in 17 more countries this Friday, July 30. iPhone 4 features FaceTime, which makes video calling as easy as one tap, Apple’s new Retina display, the highest resolution display ever built into a phone, resulting in stunning text, images and video, and a beautiful all-new design of glass and stainless steel that is the thinnest smartphone in the world.